Printer&#39;s quoin



Dec. 10, 1929. o. c. WIEDEMANN 1,739,111

PRINTER S QUOIN Filed Feb- 20, 1929 Patented Dec. 10, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PRINTER S QUOIN Application filed February 20, 1929.

This invention relates to locking devices of the type used by printers and ordinarily referred to as printers quoins. Such devices are used very commonly to lock type in a form.

It is the chief object of the invention to devise an article of this character which will be exceptionally reliable, convenient to use, economical to manufacture, and which will be so organized that it cannot slip when once adjusted.

The nature of the invention will be readily understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, and the novel features wlll be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a printers quoin embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the device show ing it in a somewhat opened or expanded con dition;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the device with one of the side pieces removed;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the removed side piece; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the devlce.

The device shown comprises two side pieces indicated at 2 and 3, respectively, the part 3 having end extensions provided with slots 4-4 to receive short projections 55 that extend from the opposite ends of the other side piece 2. This construction permits a relative separation of the two side pieces while holding the parts in a fixed relationship to each other in other directions.

Mounted endwise between the two side pieces are two worms 6 and 7, respectively, both meshing with and arranged to be driven by another worm 8 which is located between the driven worms and at right angles to them. A square socket 9 is formed in the driving worm to receive the end of a key 10, Fig. 1, by means of which the device may be operated. This driving worm 8 is supported between the walls of the side pieces 2 and 3 and is housed partly in both of them so that when it is rotated it is held against movement longitudinally of its own axis and revolves both of Serial No. 341,500.

the driven worms 6 and 7. Cams are formed on both ends of each of these driven worms, and cooperating cams, preferably complemental in shape to the cams on the worms, are formed in each of the side pieces 2 and 3. Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the cams on one end of the worm 6 are indicated at a and those on the corresponding end of the worm 7 at b. The cam faces in the side piece 2 which cooperate with the cams a are indicated at a and those cooperating with the cam face 6 at Z). Similar cams are also provided at the opposite ends of the worms 6 and 7, and in the bottoms of the sockets formed in the part 3 to receive the latter ends of these worms.

It will now be clear that when the driving worm 8 is rotated by the key 10 or some similar tool, the rotary motion imparted by it to the driven worms 6 and 7 will operate through the cams on the ends of these worms and the surfaces of the parts 2 and 3 which these cams engage to separate the side pieces 2 and 3. This movement is produced against the action of two coiled springs 10 and 11, respectively, Fig. 5, which are located in holes formed axially through the worms 6 and 7 each spring connecting together the two parts 2 and 3 and serving to draw them toward each other. When the worms have been rotated far enough to produce a maximum expansion of the device or separation of the parts 2 and 3, the high points of the cams snap off each other, whereupon the springs 10 and 11 col lapse the device. This is an advantage in using the article since it avoids the necessity for backing it up to reset it to its collapsed or narrowest position.

The device is used in the same general way as printers quoins of the well known types. That is, the type is placed in a form and bars are used, if necessary, to partly fill the space in the form. A suitable number of quoins are then placed in the form with the socket 9 of each quoin uppermost. The end of the key in inserted in one of these sockets and the driving worm 8 is turned, thus spreading the side pieces 2 and 3 apart. This action is continued until the type is locked securely in the frame by the quoins.

A very common objection to the quoins heretofore used is their tendency to slip, particularly if they are lubricated sufliciently to work easily. It will be clear, however, that the construction herein shown and described cannot slip. Furthermore, it can be lubricated so that it will operate easily and wear will be reduced. The device is very compact, and the parts are sturdy and substantial in construction so that it will wear for a long time.

While I have herein shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will'be understood that it may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim as new is:

1. A printers quoin comprising two side pieces, two driven worms positioned endwise between said side pieces, a driving worm engaging both of said driven worms, cams on the ends of said driven worms, and parts on said side pieces cooperating with said cams to cause the rotation of said driven worms to force the side pieces apart.

2. A printers quoin comprising two side pieces, two driven worms positioned endwise between said side pieces, a driving worm engaging both of said driven worms, cams on theends of said driven worms, springs for drawing said side pieces toward each other, and cams on said side pieces cooperating with the cams on said driven worms to cause the rotation of the latter worms to force said side pieces apart against the tension of said springs.

3. A printers quoi'n comprising two side pieces, two driven worms positioned endwise between said side pieces, a driving worm engaging both of said driven worms, each of said driven worms having a cam face on one end tiereof, and parts carried by said side pieces and bearing against said cam faces to cooperate with them in causing the rotation of the driven worms to force the side pieces apart. I

4. A printers quoin comprising two side pieces, two driven worms positioned endwise between said side pieces, a driving worm positioned between and at right angles to said driven worms and driving both of them, said side pieces cooperating to form a housing for said worms and serving to hold said driving worm against substantial axial movement, and springs for drawing said side pieces toward each other, said side pieces having faces bearing against the end faces of said driven worms to cause the rotation of the latter worms to force the side pieces apart. 5. A printers quoin comprising two side pieces, two driven worms positioned endwise between said side pieces, a driving worm positioned between and at right angles to said driven worms and driving both of them, I

' I said side pieces cooperating to form a hous- OLAF C. WVIEDEMANN. 

